IBHS Provides Business Continuity Expertise at Carolina Disaster Preparedness Workshops

March 5, 2015

TAMPA – March 5, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Disasters of any type can be costly for businesses in many ways, and even result in permanent closure. Preparing for disasters and helping businesses recover from disruptions effectively is the topic of two free workshops next week sponsored by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), in Wilmington, North Carolina and Conway, South Carolina.

Geared toward local business owners, government representatives and other interested members of the public, the workshops will feature business continuity expert Gail Moraton from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Moraton is responsible for IBHS’ business resiliency programs, and is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP).

The workshops will help participants identify their operation’s vulnerabilities during a disaster and develop strategies to overcome these challenges. Participants also will work one-on-one with business continuity experts, including Moraton, to create continuity plans, using examples such as IBHS’ free, easy-to-use toolkit, OFB-EZ®(Open for Business-EZ).

“Business preparedness and continuity planning can make all the difference in a crisis. Having a plan in place before a disaster strikes will enable a business owner to act quickly so they can get back to business as soon as possible,” said Moraton.

The dates, times and locations of the workshops are:

Tuesday, March 10, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., Wilmington Chamber of Commerce (One Estell Lee Place, Wilmington, North Carolina)
Wednesday, March 11, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., Horry County Government and Justice Center (1301 Second Avenue, Conway, South Carolina)

The NADO Research Foundation and the IEDC, with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, have been hosting these workshops with IBHS for the past year along the Eastern Seaboard, and will continue for the next few years.

“IBHS’ mission is to make communities more resilient against disasters, and these type of workshops provide an important opportunity to work closely with national organizations such as NADO to support local governments and businesses in their efforts to be prepared,” said Moraton.

The Carolina workshops are being held in partnership with the Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, Brunswick County, Brunswick County Economic Development Commission, Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center, Horry County Emergency Management Department, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

To register for these free workshops, visit http://restoreyoureconomy.org/nc-sc-training-business-continuity/.

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About The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks on residential and commercial property by conducting building science research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices.

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

NADO is a non-profit membership association providing capacity-building, education, research, advocacy and training to regional development organizations across the country.

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